Lower leg swelling can be caused by harmless factors like standing or sitting for too long, pregnancy, menstruation, or excess weight, but it can also be a sign of serious problems like preeclampsia, blood clots, or organ failure. Other causes include sunburn, insect bites, injury, or certain medications.
Lower leg swelling is often a symptom of an underlying condition, although the cause can also usually be harmless. For example, standing or sitting in one spot for too long, pregnancy, menstruation, and excess body weight can cause swelling, especially in the lower legs. On the other hand, it could be a sign of a serious problem, such as preeclampsia during pregnancy, blood clots, or organ failure. Less serious medical problems can also cause lower leg swelling, such as sunburn, insect bites, injury, or certain medications.
Many people experience swelling in the lower leg during long car rides or when traveling on planes, as they are forced to stay in the same position for a long time, causing fluid to build up in the area. Pregnancy is known to cause swelling throughout the body, as well as menstruation, which often ranges from swelling in the abdomen to swelling in the legs. Those who are overweight often also experience swelling in their ankles, feet, and lower legs.
Of course, sometimes bloating shouldn’t be ignored or taken for granted. For example, some bloating during pregnancy is normal, but if it gets worse at night or feels extreme, it could be a sign of preeclampsia. This condition also usually occurs with high blood pressure and is dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child. Organ failure can also be accompanied by swelling of the lower leg, as kidney, liver and heart problems can cause excess fluid in the body. A blood clot can also be the cause of swelling, especially if it seems sudden and causes pain and cold in the leg.
Other conditions can also lead to lower leg swelling, but in these cases, swelling is an unfortunate side effect that should go away once the underlying problem is resolved. An example is a sunburn, which often makes your lower legs feel heavy, although a regular burn usually has the same effect. Insect stings and bites can lead to swelling in the affected area, as well as a sprained or strained ankle, although these injuries are usually accompanied by pain and bruising.
Finally, some medications can cause swelling in the lower legs as a side effect, especially those that include hormones like testosterone or estrogen. Steroids, antidepressants, and some medications meant to lower blood pressure can also affect the body in the same way, although the swelling often goes away when these medications are stopped.
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